On the official road leading from Tuyuhun to the "Tibet Road", five horses are running from north to south. On the saddle bridge, several handsome men and beauties are sitting.
Oh, except for the last big man, although he is strong and tall, his appearance is definitely not related to handsomeness.
This person was none other than Li Aoting, the prince of the Tang Dynasty who had just left the palace of "Fuqi City" and headed to the "Xizang Road".
At this time, Li Aoting was running at the front, and walking almost side by side with him was Xue Dingshan, who was about to lose his crown.
Over the past three years, Xue Dingshan's cultivation has grown steadily, and he has reached the early stage of "Taiyi Golden Immortal". Coupled with the "Great Wild Halberd" in his hand, he can be regarded as a fierce general.
It's a pity that he is still no match for his mother-in-law in one-on-one combat.
Fan Lihua was originally a late-stage "Taiyi Golden Immortal", but now her cultivation level has reached the peak of "Taiyi Golden Immortal". Judging from this posture, she seems to have entered the "Daluo Golden Immortal" one step ahead of Wu Mei Niang.
Running in the middle were two women. The younger one was naturally Princess Taiping, and right next to Princess Taiping was Fan Lihua, Xue Dingshan's wife.
It is worth mentioning that because Emperor Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty has been missing for more than three years, the wedding of Xue Dingshan and Fan Lihua has been postponed.
Of course, no one would complain about this outcome, not even the person involved, Fan Lihua.
Anyway, it's just a ritual and it doesn't affect the couple's daily life. They can do whatever they want...
After several "fights" by Xiao Taiping, Wu Meiniang finally agreed and let her follow Ao Ting out for a walk.
After all, the little girl is about to be nine years old, and she has the cultivation level of the middle stage of "Taiyi Xuanxian". She may become useless if she stays in the palace all the time.
However, Wu Meiniang agreed with Xiao Taiping to follow Li Aoting out, but called Fan Lihua back.
Xue Dingshan and Fan Lihua were sent over because Yao Chongchu had just arrived. Tang Emperor Li Zhi was worried that he would be short-lived, so he sent this young couple over.
Now more than three years have passed, and everything in Tuyuhun is on track. Even the army has been uniformly recruited, trained, and stationed by the generals dispatched by the Tang Dynasty.
Xue Dingshan and Fan Lihua's transitional mission was successfully completed. This time Xiao Taiping insisted on going out for a walk, so Wu Meiniang simply called Fan Lihua back.
Wu Meiniang was quite satisfied with this junior sister from the same sect. Not only was this girl highly skilled in cultivation, but she was also thoughtful and considerate. Only when Fan Lihua followed her could she truly feel at ease.
Coupled with the fact that an Asura Demon General at the peak of "Daluo Golden Immortal" is guarding the side, the worst in the lineup of five people is Xiao Taiping, who is in the middle stage of "Taiyi Xuanxian".
Of course, her son traveled thousands of miles and her mother was worried. The farthest place that little Taiping has gone to since he was born is the "Tingxiang Xiang Pavilion" outside the "Fuqi City".
Therefore, Wu Meiniang did not hesitate to send out all the more than 600 "Plum Blossom Internal Guards", from Tuyuhun and "Fuqi City" to "Xizang Road", she wanted to know as much as possible the true itinerary of Xiao Taiping.
Of course, Bai Zhi, who was originally sent by Tang Emperor Li Zhi, still led his two hundred "Li Jing Sect" and followed a few people at a short distance.
Since they were going out to gain experience, they couldn't stay above the clouds all the time. In the end, the few people decided unanimously to just go out on horseback.
Fortunately, in the past three years or so, every major city, military town, tribe, and fortress, whether it is Tuyuhun or the "Tibet-West Road", has been in full swing to overhaul the "Chi Road".
Of course, this was the work of the Tang Dynasty. For this reason, the Tang Dynasty even sent dozens of capable officials from the Ministry of Industry, along with thousands of skilled road builders from the Tang Dynasty.
Many people from Tuyuhun and the "Tibet Road" also participated in the construction of the Chi Road with appropriate corvee and half employment.
The scene of the linkage between the three places was so spectacular that Yan Liben, the minister of the Ministry of Industry of the Tang Dynasty, personally oversaw the matter. Yao Chong of Tuyuhun and Song Jing of the "Xizang Road" also cooperated with their best.
Three years have passed, and the construction of Chidao is still continuing, but it has spread to all states and even counties.
Li Ao
The horses Ting and the others were riding on were naturally the best horses in the Tuyuhun army, and with Fan Lihua, the nominal commander-in-chief of the Tuyuhun army, following them, which post could not be used to find more horses?
While walking and walking, Li Aoting and Xiao Taiping were just two children, very curious about anything new they saw.
The journey that originally took about half a month took them two months.
"The last general Pei Xingjian has met the second prince and Princess Taiping——"
"Your Majesty Song Jing has met the Second Prince and Princess Taiping——"
Finally, they arrived at the seat of the "Xizang Road" administrative office. The two people who represented the highest civil and military power of the "Xizang Road" were already waiting for each other by the roadside.
What's interesting is that Li Aoting was obviously canonized as "Prince of Jin" by Tang Emperor Li Zhi, but people still like to call him "Second Prince" on weekdays.
It seems that the title "Prince Jin" still remains in people's memory twenty years ago?
"Commander Pei, please don't do this. You have worked hard and accomplished so much in Tibet for so many years, but you still show such great courtesy to Xiao Wang. If the father finds out, he should blame Ao Ting for being ignorant!"
Li Aoting hurriedly jumped off his horse and stretched out his hands to help Pei Xingjian up.
This is the intelligence of Li Aoting. Although he was only "tortured" in Chang'an City for a month, he was already trained by his "Prince Fu".
Old Wei Zheng was not an ordinary person. He was someone who had assisted two generations of princes. Although these two princes failed to reach the Dabao in the end, they had such rules and character that were rare in the Tang Dynasty.
"This must be the number one scholar of Song Dynasty and the governor of Song Dynasty, right? He is indeed young and promising. Given time, his future achievements will be no less than those of Prime Minister Yao——"
"Yao Xiang", of course, refers to Yao Chong who has worked hard in Tyuhun for three years.
When he was in Chang'an City, Yao Chong always had an attitude of learning, and worked in three of the six yamen successively as a "miscellaneous person", either as an official, or as a Yuanwailang, and the highest he served as a doctor in the official department.
But when he arrived in Tuyuhun, he reached the top in one step and directly took over Di Renjie's original position, but he did not interfere in military affairs.
In any case, that can be regarded as the prime minister of a country, and he is worthy of being called "Yao Xiang". A prime minister under the age of thirty was unthinkable in the Tang Dynasty.
"Thank you very much for the compliment, Second Prince. I still have a lot to learn, and I dare not compare myself to Yao Xiang——"
Hearing Li Aoting praise herself so much, Song Jing was naturally happy in her heart, but spoke modestly.
It's just that, after all, I am almost sixteen years old, so why do I think it feels a little awkward to be praised as "Young and promising" by a nine-year-old prince?
Xiao Taiping followed Li Aoting without saying a word, but just smiled and nodded at the two of them.
In this regard, she strictly followed her mother's requirements when she was in Tuyuhun. When she came out, she followed the long-term experience and was not allowed to cause trouble or interfere with the military affairs of Tuyuhun or "Xizang Road".
With brother Ting blocking the way, Xiao Taiping was too lazy to take care of these things. She was really depressed in the palace and felt uncomfortable. She finally got such an opportunity, how could she not seize it?
...
"Second Prince, we have received a book-making letter from Chang'an a long time ago, saying that you are coming to the Tibet Road. I don't want to arrive today, and you are coming with Princess Taiping."
"I have sent people to ask for the protector Rutoro. Once he arrives, he will work with the protector Indra to protect you and Princess Taiping."
There was no way, Emperor Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty originally had only four children, but two of them were gathered here, and two peak guardians of the "Great Luo Golden Immortal" were arranged. This was the highest configuration that the Tang Dynasty could come up with.
"Shuai Pei is overly worried. Xiao Wang and Taiping are just walking around casually. There is no need to engage in such a big fight. Besides, now that the world is at peace, in my territory of the Tang Dynasty, are we still afraid that someone will make trouble?"
In fact, Li Aoting regretted it a little. It would have been better if he had known that he could sneak away from the palace. The current situation always made him feel a little restrained.
Especially when he saw so many guards, both openly and secretly, their strength seemed to be too average, right?
If we really encounter a strong enemy, who will protect whom?
If we can't meet a strong enemy, wouldn't this arrangement be too wasteful of people and money?
After staying at the "Xizang Road" administration office for two days, Li Aoting said goodbye and left.
Originally, he couldn't stand the constraints of the palace and had to listen to and discuss government affairs all day long, so he decided to go on the "Tibet Road" trip.
Fortunately, now, when we arrived at the administrative center of the "Tibet Road", not only Governor Pei Xingjian accompanied him every day, but Deputy Governor Song Jing also came to greet us from time to time. Other officials and generals, large and small, also came to see us under various names.
Two days passed, let alone Li Aoting, even Xiao Taiping felt extremely annoyed.
So, on the night of the third day, Li Aoting discussed with his sister and ran away with Indra and Rutoro.
Of course, they still had to leave a note explaining their whereabouts to Pei Xingjian, otherwise they would harm this military commander.
As for Xue Dingshan and his wife, Li Aoting wanted the second senior brother to arrange his own itinerary.
They had been married for several years and had never even returned to Chang'an City, let alone went home to meet their father Xue Rengui.
Li Aoting simply used the beauty of adulthood and gave these two a holiday. After they finished their own affairs, they could go directly to Luoshe City to find him.
Yes, the next step is Luoche City. Li Aoting has even asked Bai Zhi to go ahead and prepare a large enough courtyard in Luoche City.
Others don't need to take them with them, but Shiro and the two hundred "Li Jingmen" under his command must take them with them. Plus Rutoro and Indra, this power must be enough to protect themselves.
After arriving at Luoxue City, Li Aoting took Princess Taiping to visit Songtsen Gampo.
Now the lord of Luoxue City is no longer interested in government or military affairs and only wants to improve his witchcraft.
"Ancestral witches" are impossible, but "great witches" can also be divided into three, six or nine levels. If one can become a familiar great witch like those in ancient times, such as Hou Yi, Kua Fu, Chi You, Xing Tian, etc., Songtsen Gampo will also be willing to That's enough.
"My nephew Li Aoting brought his little sister Taiping to pay tribute to my uncle——"
Li Aoting did not use his identity as the second prince of the Tang Dynasty. Now he is even a little tired of this identity. It seems that the second prince means all kinds of unnecessary troubles.
"Haha, His Majesty the Tang Emperor's sons and daughters are indeed more powerful than the other. Please invite your good nephews and nieces quickly——"
Songtsen Gampo stepped down to greet Li Aoting, but he was even more happy to see Li Aoting as an aunt and nephew.
Compared with the entire Tang Dynasty, Luoxue City was not on the same level at all, and it would even embarrass the former southwestern overlord to some extent.
However, with the courtesy of aunt and nephew, these worries are completely gone.
"Before coming here, the emperor told my nephew that my uncle is a great husband who is upright and upright. My nephew is lucky enough to come to Luoche City, and this is the first stop he comes to visit you——"
Everyone loves to hear New Year's greetings, not to mention Li Aoting pretending to be the "Khan of Heaven".
"Haha, 'Tian Khan' is really too praised. As a relative, this city lord can still call him 'Clan Boss.'"
"It's a pity. When I was young, I only knew how to fight bravely and fight on the battlefield. I really should have gone to Chang'an City to take a look. It has always been my regret that I didn't get to see Tian Khan."
Give him a peach and give him a plum in return, and everyone will carry him in a colorful sedan chair.
"Uncle, my nephew came here this time actually because of the mysterious disappearance of my father three years ago. I wonder what my uncle can teach me?"
After enough polite words, Li Aoting went straight to the point.
He didn't really come to Luoche City to enjoy the mountains and rivers, let alone visit relatives and friends. Wasn't the reason why he came to see Songtsen Gampo because of his father and elder brother?
"My dear nephew, tell me about this matter.
It's a long story. I also sent an official letter to Chang'an, and also wrote a family letter to Tian Khan. "
In front of Li Aoting and Princess Taiping, Songtsen Gampo didn't hide anything and told everything about what happened three years ago in detail.
Of course, Songtsan Gampo said it very carefully, and he couldn't stand these two children who didn't understand many of the secrets of the witch clan.
They are not the "well-informed" Li Zhi. How can they understand so many things in ancient times? They just heard that their father took the initiative to leave with Princess Wencheng. What can they say as children?
"Uncle, can we also take a look at the underground palace you mentioned?"
Now that I'm here, I have to learn as much as possible. Li Aoting himself has no intention of disbelieving or causing trouble for Songtsan Gampo. He is not the reckless man like Rutuolo.
"There is no problem at all, but I'm afraid the result will disappoint you two. Pei Shuai, Demon General Lu and others have visited it several times, but they haven't found anything."
Despite what he said, Songtsen Gampo still got up and led the way, just like he had led Emperor Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty three years ago.
The road is still the same road, and the wall is still the same wall.
Not to mention that Li Aoting has not mastered the "Delusion-breaking Golden Eyes". Even if he has mastered it to the level of Li Zhi, time has changed and the door will no longer be able to be opened.
"There are indeed traces of my father and eldest brother's visit here. Their breaths at that time were calm. I even smelled my father's blood."
Hearing what Li Aoting said, Songtsan Gampo was stunned and looked at the second prince of the Tang Dynasty in front of him with an expression of disbelief.
Li Aoting didn't give any explanation. After walking back and forth twice and finding that he really couldn't find any valuable information, he had to give up.
From then on, brother and sister Li Aoting and Xiao Taiping lived in a manor in the south of Luoche City. Although this place was not in Luoche City, it had all the daily necessities.
This was originally a manor built by Princess Wencheng in the style of the Tang Dynasty. She would stay here for a period of time every year. Even the servants and maids serving in the manor were specially recruited from the Tang Dynasty.
When you close the door of the manor, you can't even tell whether this is Luozhe or Chang'an.
Bai Zhi entered Luoxue City and wanted to buy a large courtyard. Songtsen Gampo soon found out.
First, in the entire Luoxue City, it is not easy to find a courtyard that can accommodate hundreds of people.
At that time, the Tubo people preferred to live in tents in the tribe, and the buildings in the city were mostly used for business. Even the so-called big families only lived in dozens of people at most.
If hundreds of people really want to live there, it will only be possible to live in a few palaces in Tubo Zampu.
Besides, Bai Zhi's image is attractive enough, and he has appeared on the battlefield before. Even the Potala Palace in Luoxe City, Bai Zhi has not been there once or twice.
Not long after entering Luoxue City, Bai Zhi was recognized, and soon the news was reported to Songtsen Gampo.
When he figured out why Bai Zhi wanted to buy a house, he simply packed up the manor in the south of the city.
Anyway, it is for the second prince of the Tang Dynasty, and the prince does not look like a permanent resident. It is not a problem to lend it to him for three to five months, or even a year and a half.
Li Aoting had already asked his uncle to let him borrow a manor, but Li Aoting didn't think it was a big deal, especially since it was a manor in the pure Tang Dynasty style.
The happiest person here is of course Princess Taiping.
When she knew that all the decorations here were designed and arranged according to the style of the Tang Dynasty, or Chang'an, the little girl fell in love with it instantly.
He even wrote a letter back to Tuyuhun, begging his mother to build such a manor outside "Fuqi City" in Tuyuhun.
"Wenchengyuan" is a very conventional name, but it just reflects the ownership of this manor.
Compared with the ancient Luoxue City, because it was built later, it has sufficient advantages in terms of land area.
A "Wencheng Garden" could only be one-third the size of the city. Let alone two hundred "Li Jingmen" live there, even if twenty thousand people live there, it won't be too crowded.
The most valuable thing is that in this manor, there is no need to build any artificial hills and waters, everything is real.
It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and there is even a low mountain in the manor itself. Princess Wencheng named it "Nianshan", which also means going to the country and nostalgic for home. The highest point can reach more than 100 feet.
On "Nian Mountain", relying on the suitable terrain, several buildings were built, including pavilions and pavilions, which were regarded as Princess Wencheng's private residence.
Further south from "Wencheng Garden" is the endless snowy area. Even on "Nian Mountain", if handled properly, the snow can be retained all year round.
Once he settled down, Li Aoting started his own penance mode.
In such a quiet environment, and accompanied by two people at the peak of the "Great Luo Golden Immortal", what are you waiting for if you don't practice?
What's more, he has an "Ancestral Dragon Sutra" on his body. Uncle Lie once told him that if you practice this technique to a high level, it will be more than enough to become a "quasi-sage".
Is that a "quasi-sage"?
I would like to ask the entire human race, how many "quasi-sage" people have been produced in so many years?
At this time, Li Aoting automatically ignored half of his dragon bloodline, and even ignored the name of this technique, "Ancestral Dragon Scripture".
Li Aoting started the penance mode. On weekdays, he found a place to practice the "Ancestral Dragon Sutra" by himself. Every ten days, he would find Indra or Rutuolo, the two "Daluo Golden Immortals" to confirm it. It can be said that entering the country A thousand miles a day.
Li Aoting worked so hard, and Xiao Taiping on the side saw it, and his self-esteem was aroused in his bones.
Isn’t it just hard work? Who can’t?
As a result, the top of "Nian Mountain" was occupied by the little girl. What she practiced was the Buddhist skills she got from her mother, plus the "Xuanyuan Jue" and "Ti Jue" passed down by her father Li Zhi. and "the way of the heart."
The children Li Zhi are very interesting. They accept almost all of their father's skills, but they each have their own emphasis.
For example, Li Aoting is the only one who can learn the "Golden Eyes of Destruction" and "The Art of Transforming Rainbows", while Princess Taiping is the most proficient in "Xuanyuan Jue" and "Xin Dao" among them.
Especially the "Xuanyuan Technique". Li Zhi originally intended for the prince Li Chenxiang to practice more. At least according to the point of view of the Tang Dynasty, this technique is the most appropriate for masters to practice.
Unexpectedly, Li Chenxiang has been practicing for many years, but he still can't keep up with Xiao Taiping's achievements in just three years.
There is another thing that Xiao Taiping is good at, which is the "Seventy-two Changes". Li Zhi learned this from Brother Monkey, and naturally passed it on to his disciples and children without reservation.
Seeing the progress of the two young masters, the two guardian demon generals were naturally overjoyed. If these two were not as "novelty-seeking" as His Royal Highness, the two of them would definitely devote themselves to Asura's skills. Up.
...
The stars change, the sun and the moon fly by, and more than a year has passed.
"Wencheng Garden" was even more lively than a year ago. Xue Dingshan and his wife were back, and two more figures appeared in the practice field opened in the front yard.
After more than a year of hard training, Li Aoting, who will be eleven years old, has reached the peak state of "Taiyi Golden Immortal" half a year ago.
Through this half year, the realm has become more stable.
Continuous hard training has made Ao Ting taller and taller, and he has half the blood of the dragon clan, making him stronger and stronger than ordinary people.
The transition from the peak of "Taiyi Golden Immortal" to "Daluo Golden Immortal" is an extremely important step in practice and cannot be taken lightly.
From the people around me, whether it is Aunt Wu from Tuyuhun or Fan Lihua in front of me, they have all been stuck at the peak of "Taiyi Golden Immortal" for many years.
These days, Ao Ting has even slowed down his practice and concentrates on supervising Sister Taiping.
When this little girl got serious, her results were even better than Ao Ting's.
In the same period of more than a year, she has
After passing through the middle stage of "Taiyi Xuanxian", he has reached the middle stage of "Taiyi Golden Immortal", and has even caught up with his second senior brother Xue Dingshan.
"Brother Ting, what's wrong with you?"
Xiao Taiping, who was showing the "Seventy-two Changes" to everyone, saw Ao Ting beside him who was deep in thought, so he asked.
"I don't know why, but I always look a bit strange today. It seems like something is going to happen?"
Everyone present was his own, so there was no need for Ao Ting to hide.
"Haha, Second Prince, now that you have some free time, are you starting to miss the Lord and the Crown Prince again? Otherwise, I, Lao Lu, will accompany you for a walk. I heard that the snowy landscape in the south is more spectacular this year than in previous years! "
After getting along for a long time, Ao Ting and Taiping had already treated these two ugly and kind-hearted guardian demon generals as their elders, even though they were still called prince and princess.
"Well, then, Protector Laolu will accompany me for a walk."
If this was normal, it would be impossible for Ao Ting to go out. After being stationed in "Wencheng Garden" for more than a year, he could count the number of times he went out on one hand.
"Well, Protector Biyin will accompany you. The two of us here in Taiping are enough."
Seeing Ao Ting and Rutuolo were about to leave, Xue Dingshan suddenly spoke.
He and Fan Lihua returned to Chang'an and met with their father Xue Rengui, whom they had not seen for several years. Xue Dingshan also heard about the undercurrents in Chang'an from his father.
Of course, he was the second disciple of Tang Emperor Li Zhi, and he had absolutely 10,000 confidence in his master's magical powers.
However, the master and the prince did not come back for a day, and Xue Dingshan felt unsure, and so did Xue Rengui.
Therefore, after only living in Chang'an City for a month, he was kicked back by his father.
With Emperor Tang and the prince away, the safety of the second prince became the top priority.
...
"Second Prince, let's go back first. It's going to be dark soon. Since the little princess can't wait for you, she might run over here——"
After spending more than a year together, Princess Taiping has become very attached to Ao Ting, her brother who is only more than two months older than her.
The snowy landscape is beautiful, but it loses its freshness after a whole day.
"Okay, we can bring Taiping and the others over here tomorrow, and we can even walk further inside... Well, what is that? Ah, is that the father? And the prince brother?——"
When Ao Ting was about to turn around and leave, he saw three figures appearing out of thin air thousands of miles away...
